What Is Bereavement?
Bereavement refers to the period of mourning following a loss. For some, it lasts weeks; for others, months or years. Grief may also accompany other losses, such as a loved one’s declining health or receiving news of a terminal diagnosis.
Because each experience with grief is different, our support is flexible, compassionate, and based on each loved one’s unique needs.
CT Bereavement Services at The Connecticut Hospice
We understand that there is no single way to grieve, and no set timeline for healing.
Our Bereavement Program offers support to families and friends of hospice patients for a minimum of 13 months following a loss. All services are provided at no cost to those whose loved one received hospice care through The Connecticut Hospice.
Ongoing Support
Bereavement support is provided by our dedicated Bereavement Department team and is available to family members, caregivers, and community members. Services we provide include community and mental health resources, phone-based support, support groups, and educational workshops.
For families whose loved one received hospice care through The Connecticut Hospice, additional services include:
- Direct mailings with information and resources
- Individual and family grief counseling, when appropriate
- Attendance at our annual Memorial Service, held both in person and virtually each fall
Bereavement Support Groups
The Connecticut Hospice currently holds the following bereavement support groups:
- A drop-in General Grief Support Group in Branford
- Eight-week closed support groups in spring and fall, including specialized groups such as Loss of Spouse or Loss of Parent
Group availability varies based on interest and need. Most groups meet for 90 minutes.
Access Bereavement Support
Grief is a natural response to loss, but it rarely follows a predictable path. It can surface in many ways and at different times, often when it’s least expected.
We understand that there is no single way to grieve, and no set timeline for healing. At The Connecticut Hospice, our bereavement services are designed to meet people where they are with heartfelt support, guidance, and connection after the loss of a loved one.
If you would like to participate in a support group or have questions about bereavement services, please contact our Bereavement Department at (203) 315-7455 or email bereavement@hospice.com.
Support groups are not held on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day.
Bereavement Support Services
- Phone Support
- Specialized support groups & workshops
- Resources
- Direct mailings
- Individual and family grief counseling
- Annual Memorial
Focusing on Patients, Not Profits, Since 1974.
Comprehensive Support Options
Medical Support Measures
Physician-guided care focused on pain relief and symptom management.
Pastoral Care and Spiritual Support
Support for reflection, meaning, or faith, regardless of beliefs or traditions.
Social Work
Guidance and emotional support as families navigate decisions, stress, and change.
Therapies (PT/OT/ST)
Home-based therapies that support safety, function, and independence.
Volunteer Support
Presence and companionship, often from those with personal hospice experience.
Different Locations.
One Approach to Care.
Whether at home, in skilled care or assisted living facilities, or at The Connecticut Hospice’s Branford hospital, we care for patients and families together—because serious illness affects everyone involved.
Our interdisciplinary team collaborates across care settings to support physical comfort and well-being while addressing emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Care plans are tailored to each individual and adjusted as circumstances change, helping families feel supported, informed, and never alone throughout their journey.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Hospital
Our 52-bed waterfront hospital is available to all our home care patients, as well as new patients referred by families or our community partners.
This facility provides 24/7 expert-level symptom management, including infused pain medications and rapid dose adjustments for patients whose symptoms cannot be managed at home.
Licensed, Certified, Accredited Home Care
Our home care services support patients in private homes, assisted living communities, and skilled nursing facilities across all levels of palliative and hospice care.
Care is delivered by interdisciplinary teams focused on comfort, caregiver support, and continuity, allowing patients to remain at home whenever clinically appropriate.
Admissions
Admission to The Connecticut Hospice is a collaborative process guided by each patient’s needs and goals of care.
Our team works closely with patients, families, and referring providers to ensure the right level of support, in the right setting, at the right time.
A Comprehensive Approach
At The Connecticut Hospice, families and caregivers are an essential part of the care experience. That’s why we support patients and the people who love them together.
Care plans are shaped around shared goals, personal needs, and what matters most in daily life. Our interdisciplinary team works across settings and services to ensure care is coordinated, responsive, and attentive to the emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of everyone involved.
We help bring clarity and compassion to serious illness, so patients and loved ones can focus on the moments that matter most.
How Can We Help?
Make a Donation
As a local not-for-profit, The Connecticut Hospice relies on donor support to provide individualized services and therapies not fully covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance.
Your generosity helps ensure that every patient and family receives the care, comfort, and support they need, regardless of circumstances.